Martial Arts Training Apparatus

ABSTRACT

Martial arts training apparatus having a striking dummy with head and torso sections, a support, and a resilient mounting arm which extends from the torso section and is attached to the support in a manner permitting the dummy to be positioned at different heights and oriented in different angular positions relative to the support.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

This invention pertains generally to athletic training apparatus and, more particularly, to training apparatus for the martial arts.

2. Related Art

In training for the martial arts, particularly mixed martial arts, it is desirable to develop skills such as accurate and powerful hand strikes and foot strikes without endangering one's self or other individuals, and while a number of different devices have heretofore been provided for use in developing such skills, there is still a need for a more versatile device that can be used in developing a wider variety of skills

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is, in general, an object of the invention to provide new and improved training apparatus for the martial arts.

Another object of the invention is to provide training apparatus of the above character which is particularly suitable for use in training for mixed martial arts.

These and other objects are achieved in accordance with the invention by providing martial arts training apparatus comprising a striking dummy having head and torso sections, a support, and a resilient mounting arm which extends from the torso section and is attached to the support in a manner permitting the dummy to be positioned at different heights and oriented in different angular positions relative to the support.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of one embodiment of martial arts training apparatus according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view, partly broken away, of the striking dummy and mounting arm assembly in the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged elevational view, partly broken away of a portion of the framework in the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view, partly broken away, of the lower section of the mounting arm assembly in the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, vertical sectional view of the connection between the mounting arm and the framework in the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view, partly broken away, of the elbow section of the mounting arm assembly in the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of another embodiment of martial arts training apparatus according to the invention.

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the supporting framework in the embodiment of FIG. 7, with weight plates added to hold the framework in a fixed position.

FIGS. 9-12 are operational views, illustrating some of the training exercises that can be done with the striking dummy in different positions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As illustrated in the drawings, the apparatus includes a striking dummy 11 which has a head section 11 a, a neck section 11 b, and a torso section 11 c. In the embodiment shown, each of the three sections has a generally cylindrical shape, with the head section being of lesser diameter and shorter length than the torso section, and the neck section being of smaller diameter and shorter length than the other two sections, much like the corresponding parts of a human body. The three sections are formed as a single, or unitary, foam body 12 and are disposed end-to-end along an axis 13. The body also has an outer cover 14 of suitable material such as leather or vinyl which conforms to the contours of the head, neck and torso sections.

The dummy is mounted to a framework 16 by a mounting arm 17. The framework has an upright post 18 with brackets 19, 21 at the upper and lower ends of the post for attaching the framework to a wall and floor. The post is pivotally attached to the brackets and can be installed in a vertical position or an inclined position, depending upon the relative positions of the mounting brackets on the wall and floor.

A plurality of mounts or studs 22 extend in a horizontal or lateral direction from the front side of the post. The post is fabricated of steel box tubing, with aligned holes 23 for the studs in the front and rear walls 18 a, 18 b of the tubing. The studs are circular in cross section and are formed to include integral welding rings 22 a which abut against the front face of the post when the studs are installed in the holes. The rear portions of the studs extend through the post, with the welding rings being welded to the front wall and the rear portions being welded to the rear wall. In the embodiment illustrated, the post is approximately 44 inches tall, and the studs are spaced approximately 6 inches apart along the post.

The mounting arm has an upper section 26 on which the dummy is mounted, a lower section 27 which is attached to the framework, and an elbow section 28 which interconnects the upper and lower sections. The three sections lie in a common plane, with the upper section extending axially from the lower end of the torso in a direction roughly perpendicular to the lower section.

Relatively large fins or flanges 29, 31 project rearwardly from the upper section of the arm, and the foam body of the dummy is molded onto the upper section, with the fins embedded in the torso and head sections to prevent the dummy from turning on the arm. Annular plates 32, 33 affixed to the upper and lower end portions of the arm section engage the upper end of the head section and the lower end of the torso section and retain the dummy in position along the arm section. The fins extend in a radial direction from the upper arm section and lie in the same plane as the three arm sections. They are positioned toward the rear so they will not be struck when the dummy is struck from the front and sides, and the cover on the foam body can include markings indicating that the dummy should not be struck on the back side.

The lower arm section 27 includes a mounting hub 36 at its inner end for attachment to the framework. The hub has a circular bore or socket 37 of slightly larger diameter than the studs and can be mounted on the studs in different rotational positions. The arm is held in a desired position by a lock pin 38 which passes through aligned openings 39, 41 in the wall of the hub and the studs. The openings 39 in the hub are arranged in diametrically opposed pairs spaced peripherally about the hub, and the openings 41 in the studs extend diametrically at an angle of 45 degrees from vertical, sloping from upper right to lower left to facilitate insertion and removal of the pin.

The elbow section 28 includes a coil spring 42 of sufficient strength to support the striking dummy in a rest position while permitting the dummy to deflect when struck and then return to the rest position. In one presently preferred embodiment, the spring is formed of a commercial grade chrome silicon, with a length on the order of 12 inches, a median diameter on the order of 1.7 inch, and a spring rate on the order of 1530 lbf/in. As illustrated, the spring is substantially straight when the dummy is in the rest position.

The elbow section is connected to the outer end of lower arm section 27 by a knuckle joint 43 and to the lower end of upper arm section 26 by a connector 44. The knuckle joint includes a first section 46 which is formed as an integral part of the lower arm and a second section 47 which is attached to the lower end of coil spring 42. The two knuckle sections have inclined faces 46 a, 47 a which are welded together, with the elbow section extending at an angle on the order of 125 to 145 degrees relative to the lower arm section.

Knuckle section 47 a and connector 44 have axially extending stems 48, 49 which are press fit into the end portions of the coil spring and affixed to the spring by suitable means such as cotter pins 51 and/or welding. The connector also has a socket 52 which receives the lower end portion of upper arm section 26 and is secured to the arm section by suitable means such as a set screw 53 and/or welding. As illustrated, the upper arm section extends from the elbow section at an angle on the order of 125 to 145 degrees.

Cushioning is provided on the elbow and lower sections of the mounting arm assembly between the lower end of the dummy and the mounting post. This cushioning includes cylindrical foam pads 54, 55 enclosed within a cover 56 fabricated of the same material as the cover on the dummy. These pads are held in place on the arm assembly by annular plate 33 and a similar plate 57 on the lower arm section adjacent to the mounting hub.

The dummy can be mounted at a desired height and orientation by sliding mounting hub 36 onto the desired stud, rotating the arm assembly about the stud until the dummy is in the desired position, and inserting lock pin through the aligned openings in the hub and stud to lock the arm in place. The dummy can, for example, be oriented in an upright position to simulate an opponent who is standing, and the fighter can deliver blows such as hand strikes, foot strikes, and knee strikes to it. In a lower position, the dummy can simulate an opponent who is on the mat, and the fighter can straddle the dummy and pummel it with punches and elbows.

FIGS. 7-8 illustrate an embodiment which is generally similar to the embodiment disclosed above, and like reference numerals designate corresponding elements in the two embodiments. In the embodiment of FIGS. 7-8, however, striking dummy 11 and arm assembly 16 are mounted on a freestanding base 59 instead of a framework attached to the wall.

Base 59 has a generally rectangular, horizontal frame 61 which rests on the floor or other supporting surface and includes a front rail 62, side rails 63, 63 and a back rail 64. A post 66 with mounting studs 67 similar to post 18 and studs 22 extends in an upward direction from the midpoint of front rail 62 and is held in an upright position by a brace 68 which extends between back rail 64 and the upper portion of the post. The brace has a pair of side arms 69, 71 which are connected at their lower ends to the back rail and a top rail 72 which extends between the upper ends of the side arms and is connected at its midpoint to the upper portion of the post. The side arms and post are pivotally mounted to the framework, and the top rail is connected to the post by a bracket that can be attached to the post in different positions along the post. This permits the post to be locked in a vertical position or to be inclined at an angle, as desired, and in the embodiment illustrated, the post is inclined rearwardly at an angle α on the order of 95 degrees to the horizontal.

Cross members 73, 74 extend between the midpoints of front rail 62 and back rail 64 and the midpoints of side rails 63, 63, with a shaft 76 extending vertically from the junction of the two cross members for receiving weight plates 77 to hold the base in a fixed position on the floor. Alternatively, if desired, the framework can be bolted or otherwise attached to the floor.

FIGS. 9-12 show the striking dummy 11 in some of the positions in which it can be used, with a fighter working with the dummy in each of those positions. In FIG. 9, the dummy is shown in an upright position, with arm assembly 17 attached to the uppermost stud 22 on the supporting framework 16. In this position, the dummy simulates a moving opponent in an upright or standing position, with the movement of a double end bag and the feel of a heavy bag. When the dummy is struck, the coil spring yields, and the dummy travels in the direction of the blow. When the spring recoils, it drives the dummy back in the direction from which it came, and to protect himself from being hit by the dummy, the fighter must strike the dummy again or move out of its path. Thus, the fighter can work on speed and reaction time as well as the strength and accuracy of his blows.

With the dummy in the upright position, the fighter can also work on a number of other techniques such as pull-down knee strikes, kicks, elbow strikes, upper body grappling, and head locks, many of which cannot be done with a conventional heavy bag, a double end bag, or other conventional training bag.

In FIG. 10, the dummy is shown in an inverted position, with the arm assembly once again mounted on the uppermost stud and the arm assembly and dummy extending in a downward direction in front of the post. In this position, the dummy simulates a kicking leg, and the fighter is standing and kicking at the dummy as if it were a human leg.

FIG. 11 shows the dummy in a ground and pound position in which the arm assembly is attached to the lowermost stud of the framework, which the arm assembly and the dummy in a horizontal position near the floor and the fighter straddling the torso section of the dummy. In this position, the dummy simulates an opponent lying on the ground, and the fighter is delivering punches to the head of the dummy from his mounted position.

In FIG. 12, the dummy is again mounted on the lowermost stud, but rotated to an inclined position in which it simulates an opponent on top of the fighter who is lying beneath the dummy with his back on the floor. In this “guard position,” the fighter can control the opponent by pulling the dummy toward himself, thereby building arm and leg strength, while striking the dummy with heel strikes and punches.

The invention has a number of important features and advantages. It can be used to work on every aspect of mixed martial arts, and the ability to move the dummy to so many different heights and positions makes the apparatus so versatile that it can be utilized as a training accessory for almost any style of fighting.

It is apparent from the foregoing that a new and improved martial arts training apparatus has been provided. While only certain presently preferred embodiments have been described in detail, as will be apparent to those familiar with the art, certain changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims. 

1. Martial arts training apparatus, comprising a support, a striking dummy having head and torso sections, and a mounting arm having a vertically extending outer section to which the striking dummy is attached, a horizontally extending inner section which is attached to the support in a manner permitting the striking dummy to be positioned at different heights and oriented in different angular positions relative to the support, and a resilient elbow section interconnecting the inner and outer sections in a manner permitting the dummy to deflect when struck and then return to a rest position. 2-3. (canceled)
 4. Martial arts training apparatus, comprising a support having a plurality of vertically spaced horizontally extending studs of circular cross section, a striking dummy having head and torso sections, and a mounting arm which extends from the torso section and has a hub rotatably mounted on one of the studs, with a pin extending through aligned openings in the hub and the stud for locking the hub to the stud with the dummy oriented in a desired angular position relative to the support.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the opening in the stud extends at an angle on the order of 45 degrees from vertical.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the striking dummy has a foam body which is molded about the outer section of the mounting arm, with a flange that extends radially from and axially of the outer section and is embedded in the body to prevent the body from rotating on the arm.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the flange and the inner and outer sections of the mounting arm lie in a common plane.
 8. Martial arts training apparatus, comprising a support, a striking dummy having head and torso sections, and a mounting arm which extends from the torso section and is attached to the support in a manner permitting the dummy to be positioned at different heights and oriented in different angular positions relative to the support, the dummy having a foam body molded about the mounting arm, with a flange which extends radially from and axially of the arm and is embedded in the torso section of the dummy to prevent the body from rotating on the arm.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8 including a second similar flange affixed to the outer section of the arm and embedded in the head section of the dummy to further prevent the body from rotating on the arm.
 10. The apparatus of claim 6 including foam padding on the mounting arm between the dummy and the support.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the support is adapted to be attached to a wall.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the support is part of a free standing base.
 13. Martial arts training apparatus, comprising: an upright mounted in a fixed position; a plurality of vertically spaced mounting studs extending laterally from the upright; a striking dummy having head and torso sections; a mounting arm having an upper section affixed to the dummy and extending from the torso section in a direction generally perpendicular to the mounting studs, a lower section which can be rotatively mounted on any one of the studs, and a resilient elbow section interconnecting the upper and lower sections in a manner permitting the dummy to deflect when struck and then return to a rest position; and a lock for securing the lower section to the studs with the dummy oriented at a desired angle relative to the upright.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein each of the studs has a cross bore extending at an angle on the order of 45 degrees from vertical, and the lower section of the mounting arm has a hub with a plurality of peripherally spaced pairs of diagonally opposed openings which can be selectively aligned with the cross bore in the stud on which the arm is mounted, and the lock comprises a pin which extends through the aligned openings and the cross bore.
 15. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the elbow section of the mounting arm comprises a coil spring.
 16. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the striking dummy has a foam body surrounding the upper section of the mounting arm.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16 including foam padding covering the elbow and lower sections of the mounting arm. 18-19. (canceled)
 20. Martial arts training apparatus, comprising a base which rests on a supporting surface, a post extending in an upright direction from the front of the base, a brace extending between the rear of the base and the upper end portion of the post, with the post and the brace being pivotally mounted to the frame base and the brace being connected to the post in a manner permitting the post to be inclined at different angles relative to the supporting surface, a plurality of mounting studs spaced along the post, a striking dummy having head and torso sections, and a mounting arm which extends from the torso section and has a hub engagable with different ones of the studs in different rotational positions for positioning the dummy at different heights and angular positions relative to the post.
 21. The apparatus of claim 20 including a shaft disposed centrally of the base for receiving weight plates to hold the base in a fixed position on the supporting surface.
 22. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the striking dummy has a body which is molded about the outer section of the mounting arm, and the outer section has a contour which prevents the body from rotating on the arm.
 23. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the outer section of the mounting arm extends within both the head and torso sections of the striking dummy.
 24. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the outer section of the mounting arm includes axially extending radial flanges in the head and torso sections of the striking dummy. 